Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole

Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole is an Italian comfort food for any occasion. Filled with lots of cheesy goodness and loaded with flavor!

These Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole are a classic comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. The combination of tender pasta shells and a creamy cheese filling is irresistible. This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and special occasions. It’s also a great option for meal prepping, as it can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed.

Tips for the Best Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole

• Cook until al dente: When cooking the shells make sure to cook them al dente. Al dente in Italian means, “to the teeth”. Simply put, the pasta is not too soft or too crunchy. The reason to make the pasta a little undercooked is because the shells will continue to cook once they are baked.
• Use whole milk cheeses: ricotta and mozzarella for the best, creamy texture.
• Use fresh ingredients! Grate your own cheeses instead of buying already grated cheese that comes in the package for the freshest taste. In addition, use fresh parsley and chop it up yourself.
• Don’t over stuff the shells. Use a heaping teaspoon to stuff the shells. Don’t over fill or the cheeses may start to run out.
• Place the shells seam side up in the dish. This way the cheese won’t spill out and ooze out the bottom.
• Assemble ahead of time! To save time, assemble the casserole up to 8 hours before baking. Just cover with foil and place it in the refrigerator. Baking times may vary due to the fact that the pasta will be cold. Add an additional 15-20 minutes of baking time.
• Sauce: Make your own homemade sauce or use a good quality store bought one. We’ve used Classico, Newman’s Own or Emeril’s Pasta Sauce.

Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole-Ingredients

• 1 box jumbo pasta shells
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, save 1 tbsp to sprinkle on the top)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 3 cups tomato sauce

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook the pasta according to package instructions for al dente. 
• While the pasta is cooking, in a bowl combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, egg and parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly.
• When the pasta is done, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Spread 1 1/2 cups of tomato sauce on bottom of the baking dish.
• Fill each shell with a heaping teaspoon of filling and place in the dish seam side up. 

• Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.

• Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top.

• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

How long do stuffed shells last for?

Assembled stuffed shells will last up to about 3-5 days in the refrigerator which makes them a go to if you are prepping meals for the week. Already baked shells that may be left over will also last up to 3-5 days. As always, cover well with foil or place them in an airtight container.

Can you freeze stuffed shells?

Yes! Assemble the shells, add the sauce and top with mozzarella cheese, cover with heavy duty foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Take the shells out the night before and thaw in the refrigerator and then bake. Again, adjust your baking times accordingly by adding on more time. You can also take the shells directly out of the freezer and bake. Add at least an additional 30 minutes of baking time. Lastly, you can also freeze any previously cooked leftovers as well. When ready to use, just take them out of the freezer, place in a microwavable dish and microwave at intervals until heated through.

Additional variations of stuffed shells

• Meat & Cheese: add 8 ounces of cooked, ground beef, Italian sausage, chicken or pork into the cheese mixture.
• Veggie & Cheese: add a little texture by adding 1 cup of your favorite vegetable(s) into the mixer. Great vegetable options include: mushrooms, onions, peppers, broccoli or spinach.
• Choose your favorite sauce! Although typically this recipe calls for a red, marinara sauce swap it out for your favorite meat sauce, bolognese, pomodoro or Alfredo sauce instead. Mix up the stuffing options as mentioned and see what combinations you like best.
• Experiment with different cheeses: Use cream cheese, provolone, asiago, pecorino romano, etc. Find your favorite combination of cheesy goodness!

For additional pasta dishes try:

Healthy Pasta and Sausage Casserole

Simple Homemade Mac & Cheese

Easy Italian Pasta Salad